My friend sent me these yesterday taken with a cell phone I think. Somewhere in the greater Des Moines area within 2 miles of my house. How big do you think it is? It's kind of tricky to judge them in velvet but it is still a monster.

That's one nice deer. Some of the biggest deer I see are in the forest preserves around the suburbs of Chicago. No hunting equals big bucks...

I've got him at low 160's, net. While I don't particularly care for hunting in backyards { too hard trying to time the release of your arrow with the kid on the swings , LOL}, as well as some deer, including a 180" buck taken in this area last year in a residential neighborhood, damn near acting tame. They are there, fo sure!

That deer is a monster! i would go out on alimb and say hes in the low 170s. Long beams, good tine lendth, and nice mass-he should score well. Very nice buck!

I say 165 inches, does Des Moines allow bow hunting in city limits?

The location that IowaBoy01 was told does not allow deer hunting but it is a little over a mile up the creek from an area that I think does. Bow hunting is antlerless only but in another part of greater Des Moines you get a buck tag after shooting ten does. You need permission from the county, city and landowner, show that you have been successful bow hunter, take a shooting test, hunt from an elevated stand that is over 200 yards from an occupied building, be licensed by the state (in addition to the locality), buy (they are cheap) antlerless tags and report each kill. The hunt ends when the desired number of deer have been killed or when the bow seasons are over.

If this deer is taken it will probably have been poached.

Back to the pictures. I have a 146 inch deer hanging on the wall and this deer makes it look small. The only place that it is a bit weak is the brow tines. I think it would go about 190 if it does not grow any more before hardening off. If the antlers are still growing in size I think it could end up pushing 200.

I've seen more deer in central Iowa this summer than I've ever seen before. Does and fawns mostly though. I am wondering if the population is up or if the cool summer makes it so they are more active during the day and willing to move and come out of the shade. Does anyone know?

Bob

I am guessing around 180, but when they get that big I really don't have a clue as to how many inches are there. I hate math, I'd rather guess. Nontheless it's a whopper.

wow... that is a stud..

Yep he sure is a whopper. Ya know big bucks are nice to look at, they all don't have to be shot to enjoy them but I sure would like one like that
RC

I came up with 189. Nice buck! I have a 170 9 pointer and that buck looks bigger.